In plain English
It points to the way someone would rather be reached than by other ways. The focus is on the communication channel they have chosen for others to use when getting in touch.
In context
In this account-setting context, it indicates which communication channel the account holder wants others to use to contact them.
- Situation
- Profile setup, contact details, verification fields, and preference settings
- What it communicates
- labels the preference control for how the account holder prefers to be contacted.
Meaning limits
The term by itself does not say whether contact will actually happen through that channel or whether other channels are excluded.
Examples
“Even though she answers calls at work, her preferred contact method is email.”
“When creating the account, he chose email as his preferred contact method.”